Crematoria Twente has launched a research and demonstration project to assess whether green hydrogen could be a sustainable and feasible alternative to natural gas, to inform potential wider deployment.

The firm will adapt an existing furnace at its Enschede crematorium to run on green hydrogen, beginning with controlled testing before any use in day-to-day operations.

Crematoria Twente expects to perform the first cremation using hydrogen before the end of 2026.

The project will assess the gas change’s safety, emissions, reliability, and impact on operations. Partners on the project include cremation furnace maker Facultatieve Technologies, industrial energy system designer Mateq Processes, and refractory materials specialist Thermiek BV.

“We are not only considering the technology and environmental impact, but also safety, regulations, and applicability at other locations,” said Harriët Tomassem, Director of Crematoria Twente.

The company said around 120,000 people are cremated each year in the Netherlands in sites using natural gas, leading to carbon dioxide emissions.

While the sector has been exploring how to make operations more sustainable, Crematoria Twente said alternatives like electric systems face limitations due to grid constraints.

By using green hydrogen, the company said existing infrastructure could be reused while eliminating CO2 emissions, making it what it claims could be the “most sustainable choice after death.”